Principal Appointments for Ocean Palms Elementary School and Palencia Elementary School

Tiffany Cantwell, assistant principal at The Webster School, has been selected by Superintendent Tim Forson to be the principal of Ocean Palms Elementary. She will replace Jessica Richardson who was approved by the school board earlier this month as the principal of K-8 school “KK” currently being constructed at 2135 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra, 32095. Her nomination will be presented to the school board at their January 9 meeting.

Catherine (Peralta) Goodrich, assistant principal at Palencia Elementary School (PES), has been selected by Superintendent Forson to be the principal of PES. She will replace Allen Anderson who was approved earlier this month as the principal of K-8 school “LL” currently being constructed at 1365 Shetland Drive, St. Johns, 32259. Her nomination will be presented to the school board at their January 9 meeting.

Cantwell is currently serving the district as its Outstanding Assistant Principal for the 2017-2018 school year. She has over 16 years of educational experience joining the St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) in 2001 as a fourth-grade teacher at Cunningham Creek Elementary. She went on to teach at PVPV/Rawlings Elementary and became the curriculum resource coordinator there. In 2013, she was appointed as assistant principal at The Webster School.

“Tiffany is extremely dedicated to her staff and students, and I have no doubt this will transfer to her new OPES family,” said Forson. “She knows the community and already has many established relationships with families and students.”

As an assistant principal, Cantwell has developed and guided a team to review and create a standards-based grading policy and served as a mentor to other assistant principals. Her love of professional development has spurred her to form a leadership cadre, perform technology demonstrations and create professional learning communities for paraprofessionals and new teachers.

“OPES has an outstanding reputation, and I am proud to join such a devoted staff and committed community,” said Cantwell. “Along with the exceptional teachers and staff, I will strive to continue the legacy of success established at OPES by building strong relationships with parents, students and community partners.”

Cantwell holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Thomas University in Miami and a master’s degree from the University of North Florida.
Goodrich started her educational teaching career over 25 years ago. She joined the SJCSD in 2005 as a second-grade teacher at Timberlin Creek Elementary. She served as the instructional literacy coach there before becoming its assistant principal in 2010. In 2013 she was named the assistant principal at Osceola Elementary and served there for two years before joining the SJCSD Human Resources Department as the employee evaluation coordinator. In 2016 she became the assistant principal at PES.

“Catherine is an exceptional leader and will provide a seamless transition for the Palencia Pirates,” said Forson. “She has already garnered the unwavering commitment and support from parents and the community, and I know this will continue in her new role.”

Her passion is helping others to develop their full potential to best serve the students of St. Johns County, and her experiences have included the opportunity to train, coach, observe and evaluate employees. She has also served students in the areas of developing math curriculum mapping at the district level and as a mentor to both elementary and high school age children.
“I am beyond humbled to be chosen as Palencia Elementary School’s educational leader,” said Goodrich. “Our school is overflowing with a brilliant combination of individuals: bright-eyed children and dynamic staff willing to do whatever it takes to ensure our students are safe, well cared for and are achieving at high levels.”
Goodrich holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and a master’s degree from the University of North Florida.
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